More than 150 Sailors from the Navy Ceremonial Honor Guard participated in funeral ceremonies for former President Ronald Reagan in Washington DC and Simi Valley.

More than 150 Sailors from the Navy Ceremonial Honor Guard participated in funeral ceremonies for former President Ronald Reagan in Washington DC and Simi Valley, Calif., in June

"It is a great honor to be a part of his funeral," said Chief Machinist's Mate Alton Hainsworth, a member of the Ceremonial Guard who grew up during Reagan's presidency. "He was a great leader who helped our country"

Reagan died June 5 after a decade-long battle with Alzheimer's disease. He was 93

Twenty-six members of the Ceremonial Honor Guard's "Hawk" team were flown to California to participate in the public viewing held at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley. Reagan's corpse was then flown to the U capital by means of a special airlift mission in succession board a U.S. Air Force 747 aircraft for the first state funeral ceremonial in Washington, D.C., since former President Lyndon B Johnson's in 1973

The Honor Guard was well prepared thanks to something they are used to--rehearsals.

"Our stays knew what to do," said LT Andy Wattula, operation's officer for the Ceremonial Honor Guard, "because we've been practicing for state funerals for years."

about arrival at Andrews Air Force Base, the Guard's "Falcon" team transferred Reagan's casket to the waiting hearse.

Former First Lady Nancy Reagan, escorted by means of Maj. Gen. Galen B. Jackman, commanding general, U Army Military District of Washington, DC reverently watched the transfer as the Air Force Band played a subdu "Hail to the Chief."

The police-escorted motorcade delivered the casket to a horse-drawn U Army caisson near the White House. The Guard's Team "Peacock," comprised of 99 Sailors, participated in Reagan's funeral procession from Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol's Rotunda.

Members of the Ceremonial Honor Guard continued to stand watch through the whole extent of Reagan's body until it was flown back to Simi Valley, Calif., for burial after the funeral solemnity at the National Cathedral, Washington, DC

A private burial rite for family and friends was held in succession the presidential library grounds. The Navy's Ceremonial Honor Guard also participated in the private funeral.

The Navy's Ceremonial Honor Guard is stationed in Washington, DC It is a two-year assignment for Sailors newly-graduated from the Navy's gain camp at Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, Ill.

"This is history," continued Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Maria Mancuso. "A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and I'm in this way proud to say I was a part of it."

U Navy Sailors marched down Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC during former President Ronald Reagan's state funeral. A horse-drawn caisson carried Reagan's flag-draped casket to the U Capitol where he laid in state in the Capitol Rotunda. A state funeral was held June 11 Washington National Cathedral, where President Bush gave the eulogy

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